This is my second year organizing the event, and when Memorial time comes around, it completely dominates every aspect of my life: I wake up thinking about organizing the security guards and fall asleep dreaming about potential speakers or musicians. I work with a small group of staff: Adam Rabee, my partner on the Palestinian side of Combatants for Peace, and Gili Meisler from the Parents Circle - Families Forum. Together we oversee a team of 150 dedicated volunteers. Sometimes friends ask: what makes us put everthing else aside for three months in order to do this?
For me, the answer is simple: I believe in democracy, and I want to see a better future for my country. In light of last week’s elections, that might seem oxymoronic – this current Israeli administration does everything in their power to damage our Ceremony, and arguably, any other potential pathways to peace. But democracy means so much more than walking into a polling station every four years to cast a single vote before turning away. Democracy is about the power of the people to effect change – and it is something that we must do everyday.
